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June retail sales beat forecasts in June, rising 0.7% compared with predictions of 0.2%, as hot weather helped encourage shoppers.
According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), non-food stores sales volumes rose by 1.0% in June 2023, following a fall of 0.5% in May 2023 with department stores and furniture retailers reporting that summer sales and increased footfall helped boost volumes.
Meanwhile, food stores sales volumes bounced back with 0.7% growth in June 2023, following a fall of 0.4% in May 2023, with feedback from some supermarkets that the good weather and promotions helped sales.
Non-store retailing sales volumes rose by 0.2% in June 2023, following a rise of 2.4% in May 2023.
Lastly, online spending values fell by 0.5% in June 2023 because of monthly falls in clothing and food stores as they returned to previous levels following increases last month.
ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said: “Retail sales grew strongly, with food sales bouncing back from the effects of the extra bank holiday, partly helped by good weather, and department stores and furniture shops also having a strong month.
“However, these were partially offset by falls in fuel, garden centres and clothes shops. Growth still fell on an annual basis, but at its slowest rate since the beginning of the Ukraine war.”
